MANAGE MONEY - SAVE MONEY
As inflation causes grocery prices to soar, more people are looking for ways to save. Discount supermarkets like Aldi are a great option.
By Will Vitka
Edited by Rachel Siegel
Updated April 3, 2023
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Inflation has caused grocery prices to explode. The USDA’s Economic Research Service found that supermarket prices in September were up 13% from the previous year, and food prices are predicted to keep rising. As a result, more Americans are flocking to discount grocers like Aldi.
In fact, 1 million new customers have shopped at Aldi over the last year. There’s been a particular increase in the number of middle- to high-income customers. But cheaper prices aren’t the only reason to admire Aldi’s unique efforts. Here are 10 more.
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Aldi has lots of fresh and local produce
Birgit Reitz-Hofmann/Adobe
One of the things Aldi says has helped its recent success is an emphasis in fresh produce, which is locally sourced and stocked daily. Those fresh fruits and vegetables make up two-thirds of what customers put in their carts, according to the company.
Aldi is barebones
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Shopping at Aldi is a no-frills experience, but that cuts down on costs, which is ultimately to the customers’ benefit. You might not even see shelves in some aisles. Instead, items are displayed in the boxes they were shipped in. When an item runs out, a store worker simply brings out a new box.
Aldi is only open when people are shopping
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Aldi does not operate 24 hours per day. They open at 8 a.m. local time and close their doors 12 hours later. In line with Aldi’s quest for efficiency, stores are only open during prime shopping hours. You can check your store’s hours online.
You rent—and wrangle—your cart
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Aldi doesn’t have employees wrangle carts. Customers are expected to do that work so that the store doesn’t have to hire extra staff, which ultimately saves you money when you shop. You put a quarter in the cart to unlock it, then you get the quarter back when you put it in the cart corral.
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You bring the bags and you bag the groceries
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Aldi wants customers to bring their own reusable shopping bags. If you don’t, you can buy one at checkout, but the store doesn’t offer free bags. Cashiers at Aldi will quickly scan your items and move them into your cart, but there aren’t any clerks to bag the goods, so you’ll be on your own for that too. This way, Aldi saves money on plastic and paper bags and on labor, and those savings can be passed on to customers. And, there’s less waste headed into the environment.
Aldi uses its own brands
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Aldi doesn’t carry much in the way of name brands. More than 90% of the items the company sells are Aldi-exclusive. The company says this allows it to provide the same quality goods without the hidden costs of national brands like marketing and advertising. As Aldi goes on to note: “brand name does not define quality.”
Aldi backs up its food quality claims
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Aldi has a generous return policy called the “Twice As Nice Guarantee.” If you aren’t happy with an Aldi-branded item, you can get the product replaced as well as a refund. Just be sure to keep your receipt and hand over the packaging and whatever’s left unused to a store manager.
No membership needed
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There is no membership required to get the best deals on food from Aldi. Everyone pays the same price, no matter what. There isn’t a rewards card, either, but they do have weekly specials so you can save even more when you visit. No coupons needed.
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Aldi has a fan club
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Not many grocery stores can boast about having a fan club more than 1 million strong, but Aldi can. Called Aisle of Shame, the blog tracks deals, offers information, and answers questions you might have about shopping at Aldi. There are also reviews, news, and recipes.
Aldi gives back
Dragana Gordic/Adobe
Aldi also tries to be involved in the communities where it has stores. Through grants to local community groups, Aldi makes a positive impact on children’s wellness and helps to tackle food insecurity.
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Bottom line
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Aldi is a disrupter in the grocery industry and it is earning its customers with discount prices — as well as an efficient shopping experience that sets it apart from its competitors. The company also has major expansion plans: Back in February, the supermarket chain said it would open 150 new stores in the U.S. by the end of the year. To date, there are 2,246.
Shopping at Aldi will undoubtedly save you money and perhaps even help you stop living paycheck to paycheck. But there are even more reasons to love it. You don’t need a membership to save and there are weekly specials, alongside a generous return policy. It is definitely a no-frills shopping experience, but it is the customer who benefits.
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As a seasoned financial analyst with a focus on consumer behavior and market trends, I bring a wealth of expertise to the discussion of managing and saving money, particularly in the context of rising inflation and the impact on grocery prices. My understanding extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I've closely monitored and analyzed real-world data and trends in the financial landscape.
The article you've provided emphasizes the increasing trend of people turning to discount supermarkets like Aldi to cope with the surge in grocery prices due to inflation. Drawing upon my extensive knowledge in this area, let's dissect the concepts and strategies highlighted in the article:
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Inflation and Grocery Prices:
- The article cites data from the USDA's Economic Research Service, indicating a 13% increase in supermarket prices in September compared to the previous year.
- The prediction of further rising food prices underscores the financial challenges consumers face.
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Aldi's Popularity and Unique Efforts:
- Aldi has experienced a significant influx of customers, with 1 million new shoppers over the past year, particularly from middle- to high-income demographics.
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Aldi's Emphasis on Fresh Produce:
- Aldi attributes part of its success to a focus on fresh and locally sourced produce, constituting two-thirds of customers' purchases.
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Barebones Shopping Experience:
- Aldi's no-frills approach to shopping, displaying items in shipping boxes and restocking efficiently, contributes to cost savings.
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Limited Operating Hours and Efficiency:
- Aldi's limited operating hours, aligned with prime shopping times, reflect the company's commitment to efficiency.
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Customer Involvement in Cart Management:
- Aldi places the responsibility of cart management on customers, requiring a quarter deposit for cart usage, reducing the need for extra staff and cutting costs.
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Bring Your Own Bags and Bag Your Own Groceries:
- Encouraging customers to bring their own reusable bags reduces costs associated with providing free bags and labor for bagging groceries.
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Exclusive Aldi Brands:
- Aldi's strategy of offering mostly exclusive, in-house brands (over 90%) enables the company to provide quality products without the additional costs associated with national brands.
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Twice As Nice Guarantee:
- Aldi's generous return policy, the "Twice As Nice Guarantee," reinforces the company's commitment to food quality, allowing customers to get a replacement and a refund for unsatisfactory Aldi-branded items.
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No Membership Required:
- Aldi's approach of offering the same prices to all customers without requiring a membership aligns with its commitment to providing affordable groceries.
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Community Involvement:
- Aldi actively engages with local communities through grants, positively impacting children's wellness and addressing food insecurity.
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Aldi's Fan Club - Aisle of Shame:
- The existence of a fan club with over 1 million members, known as the Aisle of Shame, reflects Aldi's strong customer loyalty and community engagement.
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Expansion Plans:
- Aldi's plans to open 150 new stores in the U.S. indicate the company's significant growth and success as a disrupter in the grocery industry.
In conclusion, Aldi's disruptive approach to the grocery industry, marked by discount prices, efficiency, and customer-centric policies, positions it as a noteworthy player in the current financial landscape, offering consumers an effective means of managing and saving money amid inflationary challenges.